Putting Glass Walls on Pennsylvania Slaughterhouses So We Can
See Behind Closed Doors
Farmer’s Pride Inc.

Citation: Tonight In first four hours slaughter
operation, there were 11 DOA carcasses hung back for SPHV
examination by the line inspectors. I performed disposition and
confirmed these were DOA carcasses. I notified first processing
manager of noncompliance. Previously birds were presented to live
hangers alive before stunning and live hangers could easily
distinguish between alive or dead birds. Tonight live hanger
employees were hanging chicken carcasses previously stunned by slow
induced anesthesia with CO2 (SIA) and it was difficult to determine
between dead or stunned birds, this problem needs immediate
attention. Plant policy is that DOA carcasses will be removed prior
to live hang employees. The DOA's are adulterated under 21 U.S.C.
453 (g)(5) of Poultry products inspection Act and cause insanitary
conditions. The DOAs are not allowed in edible product area. Under
21 U.S.C. 458 (a) (1) of PPIA, It is a prohibited act to process any
poultry products that are capable of use as human food except in
compliance with the law. The DOAs are to be disposed of per
provisions of 9CFR 381.95 per 9CFR 381.71(a). Processing the DOAs in
the edible product area does not comply with 9 CFR 416.4 (d). Which
states "Product must be protected from adulteration during
processing, handling, storage, loading, and unloading during
transportation from official establishments" Ongoing noncompliance
could result in additional regulatory enforcement as described in
9CFR Part 500.

Regulation:

416.4(d) Product must be protected from adulteration during
processing, handling, storage, loading, and unloading at and during
transportation from official establishments.